9.1 What is meant by sovereignty and territorial integrity? Flashcards
9.1 What is meant by sovereignty and territorial integrity?
Key idea ⮕ The world political map of sovereign nation-states is dynamic.
The world political map
Shows territories of sovereign nation-states. These are spatially bounded areas of land, which physically define independent, self-governing countries.
These political unties are the dominant entity in the global political system and are considered to be the most important form of spatial governance. The dynamic nature of the map is demonstrated by the formation of new countries since 1990.
Examples of how the world political map can be dynamic
-South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011, following protracted civil war; border regions such as Abyei remain contested.
-Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following years of armed conflict.
Page 263.
Significance of border changes
The significance of these border changes is far more than a matter of territory. They affect sovereignty over populations and physical resources; they influence the economy and social geography of each area, including ethnic groups. And they influence global patterns of trade, and migration, internal and international, for each new country.
How the world political map shows disputed international borders
The world political map also shows disputed international borders. Examples in South Asia include the claims of India, Pakistan and China in the Jammu and Kashmir area, and the Arunachal Pradesh border between India and China.
Economically important groups of countries
-Regional trade blocs such as the EU - it’s recent expansion includes accessions of Croatia in 2013, Bulgaria and Romania in 2007 and ten other states in 2004.
-Global organisations such as the UN, IMF, World Bank and WTO.
-G20 and G7.
Key terms and the world political map
-State
-Nation
-Sovereignty
-Territorial integrity
Pages 265-268.
State (Key terms and the world political map)
Refers to the area of land, of an independent country, with well-defined boundaries, within which there is a politically organised body of people under a single government. States therefore are political entities that have territories over which the body politic excess sovereignty.
Characteristics of states
-Defined territory: which is internationally recognised.
-Sovereignty: in which the political authority is effective and strong enough to assert itself throughout the bounded territory.
-Government recognised by other states: often achieved through UN elected membership.
-Capacity to engage in formal relations with other states.
-Independence: self-governing.
-Permanent population which has the right to self-determination.
State apparatus (Key terms and the world political map)
Refers to the set of institutions and organisations through which state power is achieved.
Resilience of a state
The degree of resilience of a state is measured by the Fund for Peace (FFP) Fragile States Index. The global pattern of state fragility/resilience is based on a wide range of social, economic, political and military indices. Examples of specific indices include refugees per capita, fatalities from conflict and political prisoners.
Nation (Key terms and the world political map)
Refers to a large group of people with strong bonds of identity - they are united by shared descent, history, traditions, culture and language. A nation is different to a state.
Spatially, a nation may be confined to one country, or its people may live in an area across adjoining countries, and some may be scattered globally in the diaspora. Many states contain several national groups.
Nation example (Key terms and the world political map)
An example is the Kurdish nation. Kurds are a non- Arab, Middle Eastern population inhabiting the region known as Kurdistan. This is an extensive plateau and mountain area in Southwest Asia, including parts of eastern Turkey, northeast Iraq, northwest Iran, and small areas of Armenia and northeast Syria. Traditionally a nation of nomadic herders, Kurds are now mostly semi-nomadic or sedentary. Other examples of nations include Maori, Basque and Sioux nations.
Sovereignty (Key terms and the world political map)
Refers to the absolute authority which independently states exercise in the government of the land and people in their territories.
The global system of states is therefore based on territorial sovereignty; this is fundamental in understanding current political geography.
Sovereignty is sustained by two political processes: Internal sovereignty and External sovereignty.
Internal sovereignty (Key terms and the world political map)
A state has exclusive authority within its bounded territory and no other state can intervene in its domestic politics.
External sovereignty (Key terms and the world political map)
A state cannot simply proclaim sovereignty, there has to be mutual recognition among other sovereign states. This ensures its territorial integrity and enables it to enter into international relations with other states.
Sovereign authority it applies also to
-Rocks, soils, minerals and space beneath the surface.
-Agreed areas of sea and sea-bed resources.
-Agreed air space.
Territorial integrity (Key terms and the world political map)
Territorial integrity and sovereignty are interrelated. States exercise their sovereignty within a specific territory, the boundaries of which have been established by international law.
This provides the framework for the current international political structure based on territorial division and sovereign states.
The importance of Article 2.4 of the Charter of the United Nations to Territorial integrity (Key terms and the world political map)
Article 2.4: All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.
Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity
-Norms
-Intervention
-Geopolitics
Pages 268-269.
Norms (Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity)
Norms are derived from moral principles, customs and behaviours which have developed over time throughout the world. They are embedded in international law to be upheld by state governments and their citizens.
Principles set out in the UN Charter which have become important norms for sovereignty and territory
-Article 2.1
-Article 2.4
-Article 4.1
Page 268.
Article 2.1 (Principles set out in the UN Charter which have become important norms for sovereignty and territory)
Article 2.1: (Page 268) The Organization (the UN) is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members.
Article 2.4 (Principles set out in the UN Charter which have become important norms for sovereignty and territory)
Article 2.4 (Page 268) which makes specific reference to preservation of the territorial integrity and political independence of a state.
Article 4.1 (Principles set out in the UN Charter which have become important norms for sovereignty and territory)
Article 4.1: (Page 268) Membership in the United Nations is open to all other peace-loving states which accept the obligations contained in the present Charter and, in the judgment of the Organization, are able and willing to carry out these obligations.
Intervention (Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity)
The term intervention encompasses actions of international organisations in resolving conflicts or humanitarian crises arising from challenges to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Examples of Intervention (Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity)
-Economic sanctions, as outlined in Article 41 of the UN Charter.
-Military intervention authorised by the UN in Article 42.
-Missions of regional organisations such as NATO.
-Humanitarian assistance by Civil Society organisations, including many NGOS and aid agencies.
Geopolitics (Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity)
Geopolitics involves the global balance of political power and International relations. Geopolitical power is very uneven throughout the world. As we have seen, there are inequalities in power between states explained by their wealth, the political strength of their governments, and their level of development.
Example of Geopolitics (Key terms and their relationship with sovereignty and territorial integrity)
For example, there are: powerful Advanced Countries (ACs), including the USA superpower; Emerging and Developing Countries (EDCS), which are increasingly important economically and politically; and Low- Income Developing Countries (LIDCS), which are less powerful peripheral economies.
In addition, supranational political and economic organisations such as the UN, EU, MERCOSUR, ASEAN and OPEC exert strong geopolitical influence. And trans-state organisations such as TNCS have increasing influence on countries in which they locate as globalisation continues to spread.
